Editor’s note: This is the fourth installment of Dane Brugler’s 2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting series. Previous ranking: Wide receivers | Defensive tackles | Running backs
Linebacker isn’t considered a “premium” position on draft weekend, yet there is no denying its importance to an NFL defense.
While I don’t think we will see an off-ball linebacker drafted as early as No. 7 next April, as Sonny Styles was in the 2026 draft, the ’27 class could be a talent-rich group. Like this past draft, we could see a handful of potential top-50 linebackers.
(Note: An asterisk represents draft-eligible underclassmen. Heights and weights are what NFL teams currently have on file for each player, per league sources.)
1. Sammy Brown, Clemson (6-2, 234)*
Best trait: Explosive speed
Brown is a good-sized linebacker and plays like one of the fastest guys on the field. He moves loose to easily unlock and drive to the football, using his size to power through contact without impeding his range. He brings the type of explosiveness that NFL teams covet at linebacker.
Given his traits, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn Brown was a five-star recruit and the highest-ranked player in Clemson’s 2024 recruiting class. He is a dynamic pursuit athlete.
Sammy Brown vs. Penn State
Dane Brugler
Must improve: Playmaking skills in coverage
Brown is an above-average size/speed athlete, but he’s still developing his coverage skills. This upcoming season, scouts want to see him better understand route combinations in zone coverage and show improved coverage angles to affect passing lanes. As his situational spacing gets better, his coverage consistency and playmaking will become a strength.
2027 NFL Draft outlook
Based on summer scouting, Brown is the clear LB1 entering the 2026 season. A Butkus Award winner in high school, Brown was a hot commodity as a recruit and spurned his home state Georgia (and several other high-profile programs) to sign with Clemson. He quickly lived up to the hype as ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024, then led the Tigers in tackles (107) as a sophomore, earning first-team All-ACC honors.
Brown is a big-time athlete, and that will always be his foundation as a player, but his tackling technique, diagnose skills and motor are all strengths, as well — and they’re continuing to get better. Clemson has had a defensive player selected in the first round of three of the past four drafts, and Brown is up next in that pipeline.
2. Chris Cole, Georgia (6-3, 235)*
Best trait: Freaky size/speed athleticism
Because of his length and play speed, Cole was asked to do a little bit of everything last season coming off the bench for the Georgia defense. Throw on the Alabama or Kentucky tapes, and you can see him get home as a pass rusher; against Texas and Ole Miss, he matches the tight end on deep crossers in coverage.
Cole can play the “Jack” edge role just as easily as line up stacked, the latter of which allows him to flip his hips and fly to the football as he defends sideline to sideline.
Chris Cole vs. Charlotte
Dane Brugler
Must improve: Handle full-time starting snaps
Having averaged 30 defensive snaps per game last season as a sophomore, Cole has plenty of experience, but only one start to his name. He’ll move into a more elevated role in 2026, as the Georgia coaches look to maximize his toolsy skill set. Scouts are eager to see if he is up for it.
2027 NFL Draft outlook
“Wait, who is No. 9?!”
That question appeared in my notes for CJ Allen while studying Georgia’s 2025 defense because Cole frequently flashed on each tape. Like Brown, Cole was a five-star high school recruit and earned SEC All-Freshman honors in his first year in Athens. Despite being a reserve last year as a sophomore, he still led the Bulldogs in sacks (4.5) while finishing fourth in tackles (59).
Kirby Smart has sent several productive linebackers to the next level, and Cole should be next. NFL teams covet his long, athletic do-everything skill set at the position.
3. Xavier Atkins, Auburn (6-0, 210)*
Best trait: Rabid pursuit skills
You can’t watch the Auburn defense without Atkins drawing your eyes by flashing his nonstop pursuit skills. He skillfully uses his agility when stacked in the box to keep himself clean, and his closing speed jumps off the screen. His eyes are always focused on the football to mirror and attack.
The best example of Atkins’ twitchy, rabid pursuit came on the Arkansas tape. Quarterback Taylen Green gave defenses trouble all season with his legs, but he managed only 14 rushing yards against Auburn — mostly because of Atkins’ spying skills. Atkins finished the game with 13 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble.
Xavier Atkins vs. Arkansas
Dane Brugler
Must improve: How he’s viewed despite his size
“I know he’s smaller, but…” is how almost every NFL scout started their answer when I asked about Atkins.
While there isn’t much he can do about his size, there are so many other things about his game that convert the doubters. If he is going to be an early NFL draft pick, however, Atkins must continue to prove that he can overcome the lack of ideal measurements and be a consistent playmaker.
2027 NFL Draft outlook
After being born and raised in Louisiana, Atkins played his high school ball in the Houston area. Although he wasn’t even considered a top-50 recruit in Texas, LSU gave him a chance to return to his home state. After one season in Baton Rouge, Atkins jumped into the portal and transferred to Auburn, where he enjoyed a breakout 2025 season (SEC-best 17 tackles for loss; team-best 84 total tackles; nine sacks).
Atkins rotated across the front seven, from inside stacked to the outside edge, and it will be interesting to see his role develop in 2026 under a new Auburn coaching staff. Regardless of his alignment, he’s shown he can fly to the football and arrive like a ton of bricks. His NFL projection is a tad complicated due to his size and usage, but Atkins is well-liked around the league.
4. Tony Rojas, Penn State (6-2, 234)*
Best trait: Rangy athleticism
Penn State is known for producing freakish athletes, and Rojas belongs in that conversation. According to Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List,” the Virginia native runs in the 4.3s in the 40-yard dash, plus has a 37 1/2-inch vertical and a broad jump of 10 feet, 5 inches. That athleticism absolutely translates to the field in Rojas’ overall range and pursuit skills.
You can see his athletic traits against a fast offense on the Oregon tape. The first clip shows his closing burst to the outside; on the second, Rojas doesn’t look outmatched when asked to turn and run in coverage with Kenyon Sadiq and his 4.3 speed.
Tony Rojas vs. Oregon
Dane Brugler
Must improve: Return to pre-injury form
Rojas produced good tape last September before suffering a torn ACL during practice, an injury which sidelined him for the rest of the 2025 season and 2026 spring practices. Reports coming out of the program this summer are positive that Rojas is progressing well and should be an important part of the defense this season. Can he pick up where he left off? How much rust will there be?
2027 NFL Draft outlook
A productive linebacker and running back in high school, Rojas decided to focus on defense in college and earned All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore starter for the Nittany Lions. He was on a similar pace last season before his ACL injury derailed his junior year, and Penn State certainly felt his absence against UCLA, Ohio State and several other opponents down the stretch.
Plenty must go right for Rojas to live up to this high preseason ranking — he needs to return healthy, stay healthy and continue to build on his limited sample of 2025 tape. Time will tell, but Rojas has the athletic tools and competitive drive to be an early-round prospect when at full health.
5. Whit Weeks, LSU (6-2, 225)
Best trait: How he maneuvers around blocks
The first takeaway from Weeks’ tape is his high-energy play style. While he loves to play fast and physical, he also stays under control and shows a sixth sense for what is about to happen. Those instincts help him anticipate blocking angles, allowing him to set up various maneuvers around potential roadblocks between him and the football.
Weeks’ ability to elude blockers illustrates both his animated athleticism and football instincts.
Tony Rojas vs. Oregon
Dane Brugler
Must improve: Take-on strength
He has a knack for avoiding blocks, but Weeks is inconsistent escaping once blockers get their hands on him. He has shorter arms with only average pop, so scouts are hoping to see improved play strength and shed efficiency on his 2026 tape, especially given how often he blitzes and works downhill.
2027 NFL Draft outlook
The top-ranked senior linebacker in my rankings, Weeks announced himself as a future early-round NFL prospect with an All-SEC sophomore season in 2024. He was expected to be a part of the 2026 NFL Draft after his junior year, but a broken ankle plagued him throughout the 2025 season and prompted his return to Baton Rouge for one final season.
Weeks is a highly active linebacker with the athleticism and instincts that will translate well to the pro game. As a two-year team captain, his passionate approach to football on and off the field is another strong selling point that will speak to pro coaches. Weeks is expected to be a Day 2 draft pick.
Top 20 senior linebacker prospects:
1. Weeks
2. Arion Carter, Tennessee (6-1, 240)
3. Cade Uluave, BYU (6-1, 231)
4. Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss (6-1, 216)
5. Kip Lewis, Oklahoma (6-1, 223)
6. Raylen Wilson, Georgia (6-0, 227)
7. Owen Heinecke, Oklahoma (6-2, 227)
8. Isaiah Glasker, BYU (6-5, 238)
9. Rasheem Biles, Texas (6-1, 225)
10. Xe’ree Alexander, Washington (6-2, 237)
11. Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame (6-2, 232)
12. Kam Robinson, Virginia (6-1, 238)
13. Jordan Hall, Michigan State (6-3, 249)
14. Caleb Woodson, Alabama (6-2, 234)
15. Isaiah Jones, Indiana (6-1, 225)
16. Jaylen Sneed, Notre Dame (6-1, 225)
17. Antonio Watts, Louisville (6-0, 225)
18. Daymion Sanford, Texas A&M (6-2, 230)
19. Jeremiah Telander, Tennessee (6-1, 235)
20. Ben Roberts, Texas Tech (6-3, 245)
Top 10 draft-eligible underclassmen:
1. Brown
2. Cole
3. Atkins
4. Rojas
5. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame (6-3, 230)
6. Luke Ferrelli, Ole Miss (6-3, 230)
7. Payton Pierce, Ohio State (6-2, 225)
8. Myles Graham, Florida (6-0, 229)
9. Rolijah Hardy, Indiana (5-11, 225)
10. Ty’Anthony Smith, Texas (6-1, 220)
